Nvidia's SHIELD Handheld Drops To $299

[PoolCleaningRobot]

True, but Archos doesn't have the kind of clout with publishers that a company like Sony or Nintendo has, and that's what's really needed to get something like this into the hands of people who aren't just general gadget enthusiasts. Nvidia doesn't have as much pull with the publishers as those two, but they've probably got about as many connections as Microsoft did when they launched the original Xbox. Shame they're focusing on the way it can stream from your computer, instead of the fact that it's a high end android tablet with a built in controller.

I never thought of it that way. There's a rumor that the next android OS, Key Lime Pie, will add more gaming features like a friends list and achievements and such. This would be coinciding with the launch of the Ouya and other android gaming centric consoles like the game stick. I'm hoping this could push more games on to android and make it a more viable console/portable gaming device, especially with a company like Google in charge because they're always competitive about the services they offer

 

[Jamous]

Not a bad price tag, all things considered. Not good enough to make me actually purchase it, but all the same...

 

[TiberiusEsuriens]

... or I could just plug a controller up to my pc.

I'm really curious as to whether this will sell. I mean no disrespect towards the product, but the feature I most often hear about is the ability to stream my PC games onto a smaller screen. Why would I want that? I guess it's main competition would be against the Ouya, GameStick and the like due to Android? But then the most important feature would be portability, but it'd be trying to make something more portable than a phone... I'm lost.

Oh I'd love that. How many times have I felt like playing a PC game but not feel like being bound to my chair and desk and would rather lounge on my couch or play a bit in bed before bedtime. This actually has my attention.

That's what Big Picture Mode is for. Steam has full controller integration, and all you need to connect a wireless current-gen controller to your pc is a $5 receiver. This gives you a big TV, a couch, and console experience for $5. Or you can pay $295 for a tiny brick screen. Is not having to move/plug the pc into the TV worth $300? I still don't really get it. I guess the product just is definitely not for me

If the hand-held could stream my PC games while I'm in the car on a long trip that's another thing, and what handhelds excel at.

 

[TiberiusEsuriens]

... or I could just plug a controller up to my pc.

I'm really curious as to whether this will sell. I mean no disrespect towards the product, but the feature I most often hear about is the ability to stream my PC games onto a smaller screen. Why would I want that? I guess it's main competition would be against the Ouya, GameStick and the like due to Android? But then the most important feature would be portability, but it'd be trying to make something more portable than a phone... I'm lost.

Actually the main streaming feature is for seamless playing PC games on your TV without having to mess around with changing wires or if you have your gaming PC in a different room no longer having to move the PC if you want to use the TV as the gaming monitor.

I guess that makes some sense, but is "not having to plug one more wire into the TV" worth $300?